Daily Readings - Thu Oct 24 2019
Romans
19I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations. For just as you once presented your members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves to righteousness leading to sanctification.20When you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness.21But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? The end of those things is death.22But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.23For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Luke
49"I came to cast fire on the earth, and would that it were already kindled!50I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how great is my distress until it is accomplished!51Do you think that I have come to give peace on earth? No, I tell you, but rather division.52For from now on in one house there will be five divided, three against two and two against three.53They will be divided, father against son and son against father, mother against daughter and daughter against mother, mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and daughter-in-law against mother-in-law."
Sermon
In today's readings, we are reminded of the transformative power of faith and the challenges it presents. The first reading from Romans 6:19-23 speaks of a profound shift from a life of sin to one of justice and sanctification. Paul emphasizes that our bodies, once instruments of sin, are now dedicated to righteousness, leading to eternal life. This transformation is not merely internal but affects every aspect of our being, guiding our actions toward justice and holiness.
The Gospel from Luke 12:49-53 presents a complementary yet contrasting message. Jesus speaks of casting fire upon the earth, symbolizing the disruptive and divisive nature of His mission. This fire does not bring peace but division, even within families, as following Christ requires making difficult choices and standing firm in faith despite opposition. This teaching underscores the cost of discipleship, where commitment to Christ may lead to tension and conflict.
Together, these readings invite us to reflect on the nature of our faith. While Romans highlights the internal transformation and its eternal rewards, Luke reminds us of the external challenges and divisions that accompany a life of faith. In our daily lives, this means embracing the call to justice and righteousness, even when it leads to difficult decisions. The Christian life is not one of ease but of commitment, requiring us to stand firm in our beliefs, even in the face of division. The reward, as Paul notes, is eternal life—a promise that strengthens us as we navigate life's challenges with faith and courage.